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Blow the Man Down is One Murderous, Maine-y Movie

The critically acclaimed film about two sisters caught up in smalltown mayhem was shot on the midcoast.

Blow the Man Down
Courtesy of Amazon Studios
By Will Grunewald

A few things to know about the buzzy new Amazon Studios film, starring Margo Martindale, Sophie Lowe, and Morgan Saylor, now streaming.

It’s Maine-made. Cowriters/directors Bridget Savage Cole and Danielle Krudy shot in and around Harpswell to create the fictional village of Easter Cove. Harpswellians will also recognize some of their neighbors who filled in as extras (one of whose paintings wound up as set dressing).

It’s darkly funny. The story about two sisters who get mixed up with murder, a brothel owner, and heaps of cash has prompted critics to compare first-time feature filmmakers Cole and Krudy to black-comedy masters Joel and Ethan Coen (Fargo, No Country for Old Men, et al.).

It’s award bait. The movie made the festival rounds last year, opening the Maine International Film Festival and snagging a nomination for best narrative feature and a win for best screenplay at Tribeca. No surprise, perhaps, given its production team has backed Oscar winners and nominees Little Miss Sunshine, Nebraska, and Birdman.

Blow the Man Down begins streaming March 20 on Amazon.